Model of a Lifting Screw c. 1857

This is a model of a lifting screw by the Nederlandsche Stoomboot Maatschappij Fijenoord. The screw itself, the propeller, is an intriguing motif, its form echoing ancient symbols of cyclical movement and power. The spiral, a form deeply embedded in the human psyche, appears throughout history—from the labyrinths of Crete to the coiled serpents of ancient lore. The rotating blades of this screw evoke this primal form, suggesting not only propulsion but also the continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Consider the swastika, originally a symbol of cosmic motion and well-being, twisted and inverted to represent the antithesis of harmony. Here, in this screw, we see a more benign expression of rotational force, yet the underlying symbolism remains—a testament to humanity's enduring fascination with motion, energy, and the forces that propel us forward. This screw, therefore, is not merely a tool but a potent emblem.